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Sunday, May 29, 2011

Candy Cupcakes

Once again this is my standard cupcake recipe from the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, this time flavoured with vanilla. Ideal for a birthday party, get together or even a rainy Friday afternoon when you all just need a little cheering up! I've used my regular royal icing recipe but if you prefer a buttercream icing then it works just as well – just sprinkle the sweets {candies} over them at the end.



Makes 12 cupcakes

120g plain or all-purpose flour
140g caster or berry sugar
1 ½ tsp baking powder
a pinch of salt
40g unsalted butter, softened
½ tsp vanilla extract
120ml milk
1 egg

Royal Icing:
225g icing sugar
2 tsp {6g} dried egg white powder {white meringue powder}*
Few drops of vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp water
Food colouring of your choice**

To Decorate:
Sweets & Candies of your choice to decorate {I used Dolly Mixtures, Mini Liquorice Allsorts and Jelly Beans as well as some sprinkles for that final extra touch!}

Preheat your oven to 170C/ 325F/ GM 3 and line a cupcake tin with medium sized paper cases.

Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter into the bowl of a KitchenAid (or other freestanding mixer) and using the paddle attachment mix slowly until everything is combined and you have a sandy consistency (if you don't have a KitchenAid use a hand-held electric beater). While the mixer is running, slowly pour in half of the milk and mix until it's just incorporated. Add the egg to the remaining milk along with the vanilla and continue beating until it's mixed in. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is properly mixed but be careful not to over beat the mixture.

Evenly spoon the cake mixture into the cupcake cases and bake for 20-25 minutes until the sponge bounces back when touched (with my oven 22 minutes works perfectly every time) and a skewer comes out clean with put into the centre of the cake. Leave to cool for a few minutes then transfer the cupcakes onto a wire rack.

While the cupcakes are cooling make the icing. Sift the icing sugar and the dried egg white powder/ meringue powder into a medium sized bowl then add the vanilla and enough water to make a smooth icing – you don't want it too runny so I add the water a tablespoon at a time, until I get the right consistency. Divide the icing into 3 bowls ( or more depending on how many different colours you want to make) then add a little food colouring to each bowl and mix well. When the cupcakes have completely cooled spoon over the icing so that you have an even, glossy and smooth cover. As soon as you have iced the cupcakes top with the sweets and candies.

*Available from some supermarkets or speciality cook shops (or online).

**I use gel colouring as it doesn't thin the icing down anymore, however if you prefer to use liquid food colouring just go a little lighter on the water.


Giveaway!

Don't forget - as soon as I reach 200 followers for Vanilla Clouds and Lemon Drops on facebook, one of you lucky readers will win a beautiful cookbook. Follow or 'like' on the facebook page for your chance to win. In addition if you would like to enter more than once simply become a follower of the actual blog then send me a little message to say you have done so. Lets get 200 people!!


27 comments:

  1. I LOVE these! How festive! I even love that you used different paper liners. Great job! : )

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  2. Thanks Anne! I couldn't decide which ones would look best so I decided to use a few and make them as colourful as possible! : )

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  3. Looks and sounds wonderful. Good job!

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  4. These look amazing!! Soooo colourful and tasty, perfect for parties!! Well done Lynds xxxxx

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  5. The cupcakes with a smooth icing on top are a nice change from the usual tall swirls. I have done this with ganache, but never with royal icing. Love this presentation, the royal icing and the candies. I am sure they are just as delicious as they look.

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  6. They're gorgeous! I love the festive colors and decorations. Thanks so much for sharing, beautiful job =]

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  7. Lyndsey, I just adore these colourful fun shots. You are so talented. Well done!

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  8. Thanks everyone! They are so much fun - perfect for any colourful party!

    Tina - I find that I prefer the Royal Icing as its just that little bit lighter than buttercream. That being said there's always a time and a place for buttercream icing!! ; )

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  9. What playful cupcakes! Perfect for a celebration.

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  10. What a great cupcake! Any kid would love these at there party (or adult :) )

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  11. What fun looking cupcakes! I love the candy decorations.

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  12. Thanks Emily, Lauren & Evan! : )

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  13. Love the colours and it's now making me crave lollies!!

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  14. So pretty, love the colors. Your photos are great too. They just make me smile.
    Thanks for sharing. I'm definately going to have to make these for my kiddos. Cheers!*Kelly

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  15. Thank you all so much for the lovely comments - they are definitely fun to make {and loved by both children & adults!}

    Thanks Kelly - you are now entered into the giveaway! Good luck : )

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  16. Adorable. What a great idea to garnish with candy and sprinkles. Who could resist these beauties?

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  17. How cute are these!!! These are almost too pretty to eat - like they should be the center piece! Your pictures are amazing too!

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  18. TOO CUTE! These are so colorful and awesome! :-)

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  19. I've never put Royal Icing on cupcakes! What fun!!

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  20. Thanks everyone - you are all too kind!!

    Katrina - I love using Royal Icing on cupcakes -just a little different, a bit lighter and you get to play around with lots of cute decorations! : )

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  21. You could use any type of cupcake, right, because I think you need more chocolate.

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  22. Haha absolutely!! Chocolate cupcakes would be fantastic! : D

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